“Imagine a sport where skaters are free to lead, follow, or simply express themselves — where the artistry isn’t confined by outdated stereotypes.” Gabriella Papadakis about same-sex pairs and skating with Madison Hubbell
Gabriella Papadakis about same-sex duos and skating with Madison Hubbell.
original source: Subtask
In a recent article posted on Subtask, Gabriella Papadakis shared her insights and forward-thinking perspectives on introducing same-sex pairs in figure skating. Papadakis, set to perform with Madison Hubbell at the Art on Ice show, discussed her experience and the cultural shift she believes is essential within the sport.
Reflecting on past practices with Madison during training in Montreal, Papadakis shared, “I first skated with Madison Hubbell many years ago, when we shared the ice at the training center in Montreal. We did an exercise together as a joke, but what we did was actually pretty good.
At the end of the training exercise we exchanged an amused and daring look. Without words we seemed to ask each other, “what if?”
This light-hearted interaction planted the seed for future collaboration, leading to their upcoming performance.
“When I talk to my non-skater friends, they ask, “Is that special?” They’ve seen same-sex pairs in all the other choreographed art forms, after all. But it is, in fact, VERY new to the figure skating community. So new that it’s never been done at the elite level. For over a century, pair skating has been a celebration of grace, strength, and harmony — but only through the lens of male-female partnerships,” she noted. She points out that despite contemporary shifts in other artistic domains, figure skating lags behind, often adhering to antiquated norms reinforced since the days of 18th-century European ballroom dancing.
The new pairing isn’t just a professional choice but a statement against the gender imbalances deeply ingrained in figure skating. Papadakis bravely addressed these issues, stating, “From the early levels of figure skating onwards, boys are vastly outnumbered by girls. Yet, the only chance to have a career is to form a mixed couple. This creates a significant power imbalance in favour of boys, from the outset of every skater’s career. Boys are the eligible bachelors that coaches and parents of little girls are chasing. They have all the choice in the world, while the girls are often treated as replaceable.”
She further explains how this disparity not only affects opportunities but also contributes to a broader culture of accepting harmful relationship dynamics, sometimes leading to abuse. “This imbalance leaves a lasting impact on women’s psyches throughout our careers. We know our partners have an easier path for finding another partner. We know that our physical appearance matters just as much, if not more, than our skating and athletic abilities. It’s no surprise that many of these on-ice relationships can become psychologically or even physically abusive. I’ve witnessed countless examples during my career, with nobody stepping in because it was seen as the only way for the girl to have a career — and that it was better than nothing.”
Papadakis criticized the expectation placed on female skaters, who often find themselves overshadowed by their male counterparts, as evidenced by a poignant incident with a choreographer who addressed only her male partner throughout a session. “This assumption—that he alone was responsible for the choreography and I was merely there to follow—echoes the systemic bias that pervades the sport. It reinforces the outdated idea that men are the leaders and women are merely extensions of their partners’ bodies,” she asserts.
Fostering a partnership with Hubbell challenged these norms, enabling Papadakis to explore roles beyond the ‘follower,’ embracing leadership and equal creative input. “Skating with Madison meant unlearning entrenched habits and learning to lead. Together, we worked mindfully to develop new skills so we could skate as equals. I started to take up more space on the ice, to develop my own physical language and artistry,” Papadakis shared. This approach allowed her to explore a more liberating and empowering perspective of her capabilities on the ice.
Their collaboration is seen as a forward-thinking step that could appeal to younger and potentially more diverse audiences. “Figure skating’s viewership has drastically dropped in the last 20 years. The audience isn’t getting younger,” she noticed. “The skating community has a lot to catch up on if it wants to reach a modern audience.” Papadakis argues that embracing same-sex pairs and breaking from traditional gender roles can rejuvenate the sport’s appeal and connect with broader societal changes, making it more relevant to today’s audience.
“Although same-sex pairs are not inherently queer (two straight people can skate together in a very straight way, I assure you), they resonate strongly with younger audiences, nearly 30% of whom identify as queer. This inclusivity is a significant step forward for reaching this demographic. And even for the 70% of straight people, seeing mixed-gender couples that reflect more equal and modern partnerships offers a representation that feels authentic and relatable to how male-female relationships are evolving today.”
Papadakis’s vision extends beyond immediate changes, imagining a future where the fluid dynamics of figure skating reflect more equitable and diverse expressions of gender and partnership. “Imagine a sport where skaters are free to lead, follow, or simply express themselves — where the artistry isn’t confined by outdated stereotypes,” she envisioned.
The article concludes with a call to action, urging the figure skating community to embrace these changes, despite potential resistance: “Evolution is necessary for any art form or sport to thrive. Figure skating is at its best when it celebrates grace, strength, and harmony. It’s time to redefine what those words mean — and who gets to embody them.” Papadakis remains optimistic about the transformative power of such changes, reinforcing that embracing diversity could elevate the sport to new heights of artistry and appreciation.
The old viewership will vanish, and yes, you may appease the new generation, but, you are sacrificing traditions, and making this sport something new. This whole inclusivity thing has gone too far, and it’s twisting the original design and intent of things to where we must consider the individual, their feelings, instead of focusing on what’s good for the organization(s) as a whole. The western agenda rules.
@Daniel. Why not give it a chance? Would it be so terrible with eg two female skaters perform as the Black Swan and the White Swan with music from the Swan Lake? I think it could be gorgeous!
I disagree, I don’t want to look at same-sex couples. As a viewer, I would walk out of their show.